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Eric believed that there is ONLY ONE "perfect person" out there for everyone. He met his soul mate way before he was fourteen years old.

Lindsay is gone now. She died a senseless death at the hands of her abuser. His true love was taken from him way too soon.

That was his one chance at love or so he thought.

But now, fate has decided to screw with Eric. Somehow, he ended up at a particular place, at a particular time, to meet a particular person.

Lena’s inner emotional pain radiates through her. Eric knows the unloved when he sees them. Her spirit is crushed and she is brokenhearted. Eric finds himself wanting to fix her.

But, to fix the broken, you have to go back to the past. Will Eric and Lena leave their pasts behind to fight for the love they both deserve?

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2013

32 people are currently reading
846 people want to read

About the author

Ella Col

9 books166 followers
Wow...that's all a girl can say. July of 2013 I decided to hit publish on a little story called Save. Little did I know what would happen next. I started to get reviews...fan mail...Facebook and Twitter requests. To say I was floored is an understatement. I'm so touched by the welcoming response. More than anything, I am humbled by the thought that you...yes you...downloaded my work and liked it. Sure, I can't please everyone. That being said, the fact that you enjoyed my story/stories means so much more to me. I wish I could hang out with each and every one of you and make you understand what this all means to me. For now...I will say 'Thank you'. And, I will do my best to keep knocking out books as long as you keep reading them.
Love,
Ella

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5 stars
137 (30%)
4 stars
188 (41%)
3 stars
90 (20%)
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30 (6%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,082 reviews895 followers
July 19, 2014



We’ve already met Eric and Lena. We know why Eric is broken, but now we get to see what it was that shattered Lena. And as we learn what that was, we see how two broken people fix each other.


Let’s start with Eric. Eric knows pain, both physical and emotional. He lost his mother to abuse and he has his own demons to battle over the pain his father inflicted on him. But that is not where Eric’s suffering ends. He lost the girl he loved to the same type of abuse. And in the middle of meeting a woman that he suddenly wants more than any woman ever before, he is thrown right back into the pain of his past when Bree is at risk.


Lena’s the sexy no-nonsense photographer that works with Bree. She believes in a no-strings attached type of lifestyle. But that isn’t how Lena always saw her romantic life playing out. Once upon a time, Lena wanted the knight in shining armor to save her. She thought she found that when Levi entered her life right before graduation. He was the boy she liked since she could remember. But they were worlds apart. Levi’s family was wealthy, he was popular and well, Lena was the daughter of the town whore. But for a moment she thought someone saw her for more than that. She could not have been more wrong. And one broken heart creates a lifestyle for Lena where she is in control and her heart is protected from ever being shattered again.


But all that changes when they meet. Eric can sense the broken in her – after all he plays the same game she does. But for the first time in what feels like forever, Eric wants more. Opening himself up to her is the only way to start to deconstruct her walls.


Can I say how much I love companion novels? I seriously love them. I get to bypass the pages of connecting to the characters since I already have. I knew that Eric was going to be passionate and I knew that he was going to make my heart hurt, like seriously put-me-out-of-my-misery hurt.



Since I had already known most of Eric’s backstory from reading Save, Lena was the one that we got to focus on. I was pulled back instantly to that insecurity that we all faced in our teen years, that feeling of the first boy that ever broke your heart. And although we all experienced that moment differently – her story hit on all those emotions. Seriously, these are the types of feelings that are so far gone that I was surprised to see how easily they resurfaced. That in itself amazed me.

Ella Col gives us that shining moment though. Although Eric has a few times where he shows just how broken he is, there is one that stood out. That moment was heartbreakingly painful to read. Him purging all of those feelings, dealing with the battle of love and hate and the guilt that comes with it.

I am not sure what we have to expect next from Ella Col, but I know that I will be ready to read it. I can’t get enough of a good love story. And although this was a short read and it played out alongside Josh & Bree’s story we get bits of the future, Lena’s past and some stolen moments of Lena & Eric. Those moments that we saw glimpses of in Save when Josh and Bree would disappear into the other room and we would be left wondering just what was going on with Eric… well now we know. And I absolutely loved it.
Profile Image for  ~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~.
1,177 reviews7 followers
December 22, 2013
I really really liked this book. It has a very strong & heartbreaking message concerning domestic violence & mental/emotional abuse in relationships. Not only is there a point to the madness within this story, it also has a very positive, warm, & touching outlook at the end of the tunnel here. The ending had me like...
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And did I forget to mention? It also knows how to bring the hotness with it too. Eric? MY GAWD!
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I would recommend this read.
Profile Image for Jen ❥.
267 reviews
October 13, 2013
The Save novels, of which Broken is book two, tell an amazing story about four main characters who find salvation in one another and ultimately become an extended, loving family. The companion novels, Save and Broken, definitely should be read in order to build the complete story, although each novel is about a different couple.

In Save, we have Josh and Bree's story, which introduces us to the complexities of Josh's, Eric's, and Bree's backgrounds. It was an amazing story with unique characters and unexpected events, but it just didn't feel quite finished when it ended so I only rated it four stars at that time. Having now read Broken and seeing the bigger picture, I have to give the series a five star rating.

Broken is set concurrently with the first book, although half of this story is background from Eric's and Lena's teen years, so we don't get to the concurrent part until the 50% mark. The background focuses mostly on Lena, and while it is necessary to understand Lena's motivations, I didn't really enjoy this part of the book. When it jumps to current day, however, there is so much depth to Eric and Lena, you feel everything they're feeling, and it runs the gamut from heart wrenching despair to ecstasy. I cried, laughed, and loved right along with them.

My only criticism is the resolution seemed a bit rushed at the very end, . The epilogue, however, made up for the quick resolution and provides the sense of completeness and the perfect ending for this story. Well done, Ella Col, well done!
Profile Image for Ada.
12 reviews
January 4, 2014
I liked SAVE, and thought Josh and Bree's story was awesome and touching and I liked that they had real issues. well that's nothing compared to how I fell about BROKEN Ella Col has outdone herself. This story was an emotional roller coaster to say the least. I was angry, happy, sad, and that was on the same page. When Levi showed his true colors I felt vindicated because I really felt like he was an ass that was just trying to fit in at first and I just felt sorry for him he was pathetic. But by the time the story closes I'm feeling like Josh, and I'm so happy for Eric starting from Save you know he's an emotional wreck but in this story you realize he is truly broken. and I love how Josh looks out for him in this story it really showcased their brotherhood. I definitely recommend this book but you have to read Save first otherwise you'll be lost sometimes.
Profile Image for Ashley.
39 reviews26 followers
March 10, 2014
***3 beautifuly broken stars!!

this book hit a hard place for me i really loved eric he survived abuse at the hands of his father and lost his mother and yet he was a great person i loved him then we meet lena she had her own drama with her school life sucking then her moms "message therapy" job her only friend that stod by her katie was great there could have been so much more done with katie but i am glade lena had some one at all then we have levi hummm what i would not give ti punch him
in his wonderful face then you have brad his creep bestfriend what an asshole this guy was i really dont get why he went out of his way to be such a bastard but he sucked then we have bree and josh they were super cute my heart broke for bree and for josh beacuse he did not know how to deal with what happens to bree now back to eric i really enjoyed how he kept going back to the dv shelter and how he was there to be friend the little boy i really liked the romance of it but it was sorta insta love/lusr but i still really enjoyed it
Profile Image for Christy.
145 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2013
I enjoyed this book more than I did the first one. The story of Lena and her first "boyfriend" was heart wrenching. You almost wish there was a way to redeem this boy Levi but he's already too tainted by his father's emotional abuse. The story of what happened to Eric came out a little bit at a time and by the end you really get how horrific his abuse really was and why his feelings for his mom are so difficult for him to process with her going back to their abuser over and over again. Eric and Lena are so good together because even before they knew each others story they understood each other on a level some couples never achieve. I have a slight problem with Lena's relationship with her mother because it was her fault her daughter had to put up with so much BS in school and around town. She could have done anything else and not expose her daughter to all those men coming and going in their home. I know it was supposedly so Lena could go to a prestigious art school but there are scholarships and other legal ways to come up with money for things like that without bringing shame on her family. Lena was just too understanding and forgiving to be real. Nobody wants to think of their parents doing that much less being reminded of it everyday some stranger walks in the door. Anyway, it was a good book and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Brittany Reece.
43 reviews4 followers
October 15, 2013
I tip my hat to the wonderful Ella Col. Once again, she tore my heart open, and these beautiful characters waltzed inside and took root.

In BROKEN, we revisit the secondary characters of SAVE: Eric and Lena.
Eric is a lost and tortured soul: having lost both his mother and the love of his life, Lindsey (Josh's little sister), to domestic violence. He's shattered inside; never having a relationship longer than one night, and never allowing anybody to get close. Certainly, becoming enthralled with a woman is off his list.
Enter Lena, the beautiful photographer Bree is paired up with. To help their friends' Josh and Bree's budding romance, Lena and Eric are thrown together.
Since Lena has her own secrets, and her own reasons for never getting too close to anyone, the idea of her and Eric being anything is inconceivable- unless of course, they can heal themselves and each other.

This book, this wonderful continuation of these 'ruined' lives being pieced back together is absolutely stunning.
If nothing else, this series shows that even those with the darkest pasts can find light in their lives.
Profile Image for Lisa.
342 reviews6 followers
October 25, 2013
Yes! I didn't think it was possible, but "Broken" for me was even better than "Save"...
It's the story of Eric and Lena, who are companion characters in "Save". They both have troubled pasts that have made them dysfunctional when it came to relationships. It's written to coincide with the events of "Save"...
With alternating POV's, you are able to fully envision the feelings and emotions felt by Eric and Lena...

Handsome player, Eric, suffered abuse at the hands of his father til' one tragic event ended it and his so-called family. He survived only to have his future devastated yet again.
Beautiful, carefree Lena grew up the child of a broken home and the daughter of the town prostitute. She was assaulted verbally and treated like trash by her classmates, even by the one boy who professed his love only in secret.
The two come together as friends with baggage only to realize that they can't live without the other.

A great story of perseverance, friendship, and finding out that family is what you make of it.
Ella Col is an author who writes with feeling and realism - taking brokenness and creating beauty.
Profile Image for Djg.
2,050 reviews31 followers
April 22, 2014
So book 2, Eric and Lena's story.

I already liked Eric and Lena from "Save" as friends to Josh and Bree so I was really looking forward to this.

The first couple of chapters are about Eric and the rest until about 1/3 way though is Lena's backstory. I did like how well the author covered Lena's background, my heart broke for her.

There is crossover with some scenes and dialogue from "Save". Eric was a truly amazing character. His past was brutally heartbreaking and I loved him.

I feel like I missed out on seeing Eric and Lena fall in love and I would have liked more one on one with the two of them, it would have helped capture that feeling of watching these emotionally damaged people fall in love. It almost felt like I missed a couple of chapters.

Still, I liked them both so much and their ultimate hea was well worth the journey. It is a satisfying follow up to Save. Recommended.
52 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2014
Did not read SAVE but Broken was easy to read without reading the first one anyway. I really enjoyed the book. Very good with strong emotions storyline, interesting and intriguing characters. Someone wrote that the language was nasty and end up skipping to the end. Well yes there were some nasty words and I understand that some people are offended by that type of language, but this was not a “Disneyland candy love story”. This was a story of two people who lived a rough, harsh life and experienced events that has broken them. Me neither I am not a foul language fan especially when written just so to make more words counts but it was not the case in that book, so for me the vocabulary was as much a part of the characters as their emotions were.
Profile Image for Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers).
1,760 reviews52 followers
March 27, 2014
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This is the first book I have read by Ella Col. I enjoyed the characters, their dynamic personalities, and their emotional journey. What I liked most was the importance of family. Whether they are blood related or chosen, they have each others backs and give the emotional support every person needs.

I look forward to reading the other books by Ella Col.
Profile Image for Brook.
21 reviews3 followers
October 13, 2013
I was so excited when I saw that this book had been released. I had been watching for it since I finished Save. It was amazing! Ella has this talent for pulling you in to every character's emotions. The reader feels what the characters feel. I loved seeing how each character's past brought them to be who they now are. She does a great job writing about tough subjects. I honestly couldn't put this book down until I finished it. I can't wait to read more from Ella Col! I love her writing!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,440 reviews19 followers
October 26, 2014
I have had this book for sometime. unfortunately my kids have kept me from doing alot of the reading I've wanted to do over the past year. My to be read list got longer and longer and longer. I love Ella Col and her writing. I'm so glad I finally got to read Eric and Lena's story. great book!!!
Profile Image for Megan Fall.
Author 13 books366 followers
December 20, 2014
Really, really loved reading this book. I had been waiting for it for awhile. Thank you so much for sending me a copy. It was such a great ending to the first book. I love that both books overlap. I adored Eric and Josh. This was a great read, I highly recommend it!!
Profile Image for J.E..
Author 8 books8 followers
November 30, 2013
I'm so glad I gave this book a chance. I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved every moment of it. Well written romance with a story full of heart. I cried, laughed and cried some more. I love HEAs. :)
Profile Image for Lexi Dare.
Author 22 books13 followers
March 11, 2014
I liked this book but I expected to as I liked the one before it. I liked the fact the characters were not perfect but perfectly flawed together.

Reminds me of that line from that old Grace Jones song, 'You're not perfect, but you're perfect for me'.
Profile Image for Lena Trinkle.
4 reviews
March 13, 2014
Loved this story it show you that you should love yourself no matter what happens because only you can be you. I found it funny that one of the main characters name was Lena and the other main characters last name was Parker sounds familiar hehe!! I enjoyed this book very much!!
Profile Image for S.M. Stryker.
Author 25 books274 followers
July 16, 2014
What a great story of survival and love. This was a great story. It really makes you thankful for what you have. Such a good message. I look forward to reading more from this author and watching her grow. I wish the editing was better. A quick read, I would recommend.
456 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2014
Loved, loved, loved this story! I loved this story better then the first story in this series!
Profile Image for Jennifer Wright.
17 reviews
May 27, 2014
Another Goodreads

pretty good book. there is some adult language and sexual content. It had a good story to. The ending was a happy one. I would suggest this book to anyone.
Profile Image for Michelle.
701 reviews
Read
June 1, 2014
Broken

even broken you can find love. this is a strong feelings of betrayal. you can still pull through it all when you stand strong
Profile Image for book junkie.
574 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2014
I can't say enough about this series :) loved loved loved it !!!!'
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,620 reviews37 followers
December 14, 2013
I walk away from this book knowing family is who and what you make it. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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